FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, razor grass and pro-choice signs limit the view of patients entering the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi Senate Tuesday, March 7, 2018, and is one House vote away from the desk of a governor eager to sign it, is an invitation to the Supreme Court to allow states to begin restricting abortion earlier in pregnancy. The law that passed the Senate would ban most abortions after 15 weeks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, Pam Miller, of Pro Life Mississippi, walks along the fence surrounding as she attempts to counsel a person entering the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic near downtown Jackson, Miss. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi Senate Tuesday, March 7, 2018, and is one House vote away from the desk of a governor eager to sign it, is an invitation to the Supreme Court to allow states to begin restricting abortion earlier in pregnancy. The law that passed the Senate would ban most abortions after 15 weeks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, questions House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, on House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from Rep. Kathy Sykes, D-Jackson, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson, questions House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from lawmakers, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Kami Bullock, left, and Barbara Beavers, both anti-abortion supporters, stand with their signs outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Kami Bullock, left, and Barbara Beavers, both anti-abortion supporters, stand with their signs outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., and attempt to elicit support from passing drivers, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A participant with the 40 Days for Life campaign, stands outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., seeking support to their efforts to end abortion, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rep. Tommy Reynolds, D-Charleston, speaks in support of amending Senate Bill 2976 to say the state Gaming Commission wouldn't get any money in the budget beginning July 1 until Mississippi enacts a lottery to benefit schools, roads and cities, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The amendment and bill passed the House and now goes to conference committee. The Gaming Commission regulates casinos and charitable gambling in the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A participant with the 40 Days for Life campaign, stands outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., seeking support to their efforts to end abortion, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Kim Gibson, a clinic defender, keeps watch along the entrance to the parking lot of the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi close to having most-restrictive abortion law

FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, razor grass and pro-choice signs limit the view of patients entering the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi Senate Tuesday, March 7, 2018, and is one House vote away from the desk of a governor eager to sign it, is an invitation to the Supreme Court to allow states to begin restricting abortion earlier in pregnancy. The law that passed the Senate would ban most abortions after 15 weeks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Rogelio V. Solis

FILE - In this June 30, 2015, file photo, Pam Miller, of Pro Life Mississippi, walks along the fence surrounding as she attempts to counsel a person entering the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic near downtown Jackson, Miss. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi Senate Tuesday, March 7, 2018, and is one House vote away from the desk of a governor eager to sign it, is an invitation to the Supreme Court to allow states to begin restricting abortion earlier in pregnancy. The law that passed the Senate would ban most abortions after 15 weeks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Rogelio V. Solis

Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, questions House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, on House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from Rep. Kathy Sykes, D-Jackson, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson, questions House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, answers questions from lawmakers, about House Bill 1510, on what is likely to be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The House voted 75-34 in favor of the measure, which would make most abortions illegal after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant has said he'll sign the bill. The Mississippi Senate passed the measure on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

Kami Bullock, left, and Barbara Beavers, both anti-abortion supporters, stand with their signs outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

Kami Bullock, left, and Barbara Beavers, both anti-abortion supporters, stand with their signs outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., and attempt to elicit support from passing drivers, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

A participant with the 40 Days for Life campaign, stands outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., seeking support to their efforts to end abortion, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

Rep. Tommy Reynolds, D-Charleston, speaks in support of amending Senate Bill 2976 to say the state Gaming Commission wouldn't get any money in the budget beginning July 1 until Mississippi enacts a lottery to benefit schools, roads and cities, Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss. The amendment and bill passed the House and now goes to conference committee. The Gaming Commission regulates casinos and charitable gambling in the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

A participant with the 40 Days for Life campaign, stands outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., seeking support to their efforts to end abortion, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

Kim Gibson, a clinic defender, keeps watch along the entrance to the parking lot of the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi lawmakers on Thursday passed what would be the nation's most restrictive abortion law, making the procedure illegal in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The state's only abortion provider pledged to sue, and the attorney general said he expected a tough legal battle ahead.

Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Legislature appeared to not only expect, but to encourage, such challenges in hopes the issue will eventually make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The House voted 75-34 in favor of the bill , and Republican Gov. Phil Bryant said again Thursday that he would sign it. Because of necessary paperwork, it won't reach his desk until next week. The Senate passed the measure Tuesday.

"We are protecting more women, we are protecting more children," said House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, a Braxton Republican. "By 15 weeks, you have a child in the womb who has a heartbeat, who for all practical purposes has taken on the form of a person."

Under the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling establishing a nationwide right to abortion, states were permitted to restrict abortions after viability — the point when the fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving under normal conditions outside the uterus. The ruling offered no legal definition of viability, saying it could range between 24 and 28 weeks into a pregnancy.

The Mississippi measure "seems like a pretty simple bill designed to test the viability line that the Supreme Court has drawn," said David Forte, a law professor at Ohio's Cleveland State University.

Abortion-rights-groups immediately spoke out against the bill, saying it is not legally or medically sound.

"We certainly think this bill is unconstitutional," said Katherine Klein, equality advocacy coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. "The 15-week marker has no bearing in science. It's just completely unfounded and a court has never upheld anything under the 20-week viability marker. ... We expect that this bill will be challenged in court and it will lose and, in the process, Mississippi will lose thousands upon thousands of taxpayer dollars."

Anti-abortion groups applauded the measure.

"We're thrilled that Mississippi lawmakers are taking a step to protect the basic right to life, as well as protecting maternal health," said Jameson Taylor, acting president of the conservative-leaning Mississippi Center for Public Policy. The center helped craft the bill.

There are two exceptions to House Bill 1510: if the fetus has a health problem that would prevent it from surviving outside the womb at full term, or if the pregnant woman's life or a "major bodily function" is threatened by the pregnancy. Pregnancies as a result of rape and incest are not exempt.

It's unclear if a 15-week ban will move forward elsewhere. A bill has been filed for Louisiana's upcoming legislative session. Gipson said lawmakers in Texas, Georgia, and "some Midwestern states" are exploring the idea. An appeals court in 2015 struck down efforts in North Dakota to ban most abortions after six weeks, when a fetus develops a detectable heartbeat, and in Arkansas after 12 weeks.

Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday that he expected legal challenges and he noted that less-restrictive measures banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy have been struck down in other states. The U.S. Senate earlier this year rejected such a ban nationwide when supporters couldn't reach a 60-vote supermajority to act.

Mississippi's 20-week ban has never been legally challenged, in part because the state's only abortion clinic, the Jackson Women's Health Organization, doesn't perform abortions that late in pregnancy. According to state Department of Health statistics, 85 percent of abortions in Mississippi took place before 12 weeks in 2016.

Diane Derzis, who owns the clinic, has said it provides abortions as late as 18 weeks after pregnancy. Most of Mississippi's 2,500 abortions in 2015 took place at the clinic. Before the bill was passed, Derzis said she would sue. She did not respond to text or telephone messages seeking comment Thursday.

Abortion opponents have been encouraged by a 2007 Supreme Court case, Gonzalez v. Carhart, that allowed bans on what some call partial-birth abortions, an abortion performed relatively late in pregnancy, in which the living fetus is extracted in stages through the birth canal. The opponents believe the decision opened a window for states to restrict abortion before a fetus is viable.

"We would welcome the court to clarify the extent to which states can regulate abortions, particularly with regard to maternal health," Taylor said.

He said the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative legal advocacy group, was among those who vetted the bill's language. The Arizona-based alliance didn't respond to questions, with senior counsel Kevin Theriot saying only that the alliance "supports states' important and legitimate efforts to protect the health and safety of women and children."

Forte and University of Chicago Law Professor Geoffrey Stone both said they believe the chances the Supreme Court will consider a major abortion case are slim as long as the current justices remain, though a case could ascend quickly on an emergency appeal of a lower court ruling.

The likely hope of Mississippi lawmakers is that one of the justices more favorable to abortion rights, such as Anthony Kennedy or Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will have stepped down by the time the state's case reaches the Supreme Court.

Kennedy, for example, has twice in the past 26 years been part of a 5-4 majority upholding abortion rights.

Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language.PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated.Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything.Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person.Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts.Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.